Photos by Angad Dhakal

An elephant festival has kicked off in Sauraha, Chitwan on Monday.

The festival began with the procession of elephants that started from the eastern side of the Chitwan National Park and passed through Sauraha. 

The nine different programmes like elephant 'fast walk' tournament, elephant Polo, a football match among elephant calves, cart race, elephant painting, picnic for elephants, a cultural programme and a boat riding competition are the parts of the festival, according to the Regional Hotel Association Secretary Rammani Khanal. 

A Tharu cultural rally was also the part of the inaugural session of the festival. 

The festival is the continuity of the Elephant Race Tournament that used to be held in Sauraha 12 years ago.